Thursday, January 31, 2013

Apple introduces new Search API in Map Kit

Apple has introduced a new search API that allows developers to offer
map-based addresses (location) and points of interest (POI) through
Apple's maps servers, within their own apps. The API is available
through Apple's Map Kit Framework. This essentially means that
developers will be able to build local search apps around Apple's maps.Apple
joins the league of Google which offers a similar Google Places API to
developers. Other notable players offering similar APIs are
OpenStreetMaps and Foursquare. Before iOS 6, Google maps were the
default set of maps for the iOS platform, so developers could easily
integrate the Google Places API in their apps for returning location and
point-of-interest search results. It's noteworthy that Google's Places
API can only be used in conjunction with Google's Map tiles. This
changed after iOS 6 when Apple introduced its own maps and developers
could no longer use the Google Places API, and had to rely on other
providers.
It looks like Apple wanted to make its location and
mapping solutions feature complete so that developers did not have to
look for other options while building apps for the platform. Both Google
and Nokia offer richer location and mapping solutions compared to
Apple, at this point in time. But with the move, Apple gets a chance to
generate developer interest, as its maps evolve over time. Apple's maps
have been panned for inaccuracies and lack of data, but when it does
expand and iron out these deficiencies, it will have more developer
mindshare, following this move.